The name Saph1re came about many years ago when I was setting up an eBay account, but every username I tried was taken. I happened to look down at my sapphire engagement ring and decided to spell it wrong, and guess what, it was available :-)

The Finding of Martha Lost is a coming of age tale about a sweet, innocent and caring teenage girl who was found in the station as a baby, left in the lost property office, but was never claimed. Martha grew up in the train station, living with the woman she was brought up to call Mother, and helping to run the lost property office. She never dared to leave the station, as Mother told her it would crumble if she did, so she would not step outside the station for fear of destroying the only home and people she knew.

Before reading this book, I never would have thought it possible for a train station to feel so homely and magical. This story is filled with friendship, love, family, secrets, hope, magic and self-discovery. Who would have thought so much could happen in a train station. I will be people watching and looking for the magic myself next time I’m waiting for a train at the station. Perhaps I’ll even do a little spin.

I adored Martha’s love of books, and her belief that a book is more than just a book, but has a variety of stories connected to it. Her emotional connection with books really struck a chord with me, as books have played a big part throughout most of my life.

“If a book’s been found, the least I can do is read it. Then it won’t feel lost any longer.”

Martha is the main character in this story, but there is also a wonderful mix of other characters that are a part of Martha’s little world. There are some lovely characters that I couldn’t help but love. On the other hand, Martha’s unpleasant mother reminded me a little of the scary mother in Stephen King’s Carrie.

I wasn’t really interested in The Beatles side of the story, as I’m more of a Rolling Stones kind of a girl, but I do understand its importance, considering the location of the train station. It is for this reason that I give this book an overall 4 star rating, as this aspect didn’t hold my attention or feel as magical as the other parts of the story.

“I believe in everything until it's disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it's in your mind. Who's to say that dreams and nightmares aren't as real as the here and now?”John Lennon

I think this will mostly appeal to fans of magical realism and young adult fiction.

I would like to thank the publisher, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers (Doubleday) for allowing me a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.